Basket of Lemons 1971

Curator: This is Mary Fedden's Basket of Lemons, currently held in the Tate Collections. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the juxtaposition of the bright yellow lemons with the muted background – it creates a wonderfully unsettling tension. Curator: Fedden was celebrated for her still lifes, often placing everyday objects in unexpected contexts. The lemons, for example, sit before a vaguely Mediterranean landscape. Editor: The lemons themselves, so vibrant, speak to notions of abundance, perhaps even the optimism that followed the post-war era. But against the looming sky, there's an underlying anxiety, don't you think? Curator: It's interesting that you see anxiety. From a historical perspective, her works offered a sense of calm amidst social upheaval. Her style reflected a broader movement toward accessible, relatable art. Editor: Perhaps. But these symbols... the lemons, the stark background, it's a complex emotional space, isn't it? A memento mori but with a touch of sunshine. Curator: A compelling point! It seems even the simplest still life can hold layers of cultural meaning and personal reflection. Editor: Indeed. And Fedden masterfully reminds us of that.